Dreaming of Wales holidays near the beach?
If you’re planning your Snowdonia holiday 2023 we have self catering accommodation available near the Welsh coast. Currently we still have some peak season availability.
Our Snowdonia self catering is dog friendly with different budget options for glamping, camping and Snowdonia cottages to rent. We have Snowdonia holiday cottages both in the historic town of Dolgellau and overlooking the exceptionally beautiful Mawddach Estuary.
Come and enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of Snowdonia National Park and still be close to the beach – there’s activities to keep all the family happy. Here’s a guide to a few of our favourite beaches:
Fairbourne Beach
Fairbourne is the nearest beach to our Snowdonia glamping and holiday cottages. You can cycle there along the Mawddach Trail, hop on a bus or it’s less than 10 minutes drive. Head to Fairbourne Beach for:
- miles of sand at low tide and shingle when the tide is high
- great for paddling, swimming, paddle boarding and families
- peace and relaxation – it’s rarely very busy
- dog friendly sections year round
- refreshments at Penrhyn Bar and Grill plus fish and chips, cafes and convenience stores in the village
- a ride on Fairbourne steam railway linking Fairbourne with Barmouth via the Barmouth ferry (ferry runs summer only)
- promenade walk spotting “The Dragon’s Teeth” 650 World War II tank traps, now a listed monument
- easy (paid) parking
- access to beach is over the shingle bank so not easy for everyone. There is a shingle ramp near pillbox at the beach car park
- you may be lucky to see dolphins!
Top Tip – check the tide times before making plans
Seaside fun in Barmouth
Barmouth / Abermaw is a popular seaside town with a huge beach. You can walk or cycle across the Mawddach Estuary to Barmouth using the iconic railway viaduct. Barmouth is about 20 minutes drive although during busy times in high season traffic can get very busy with limited parking so we recommend alternative ways to reach Barmouth.
- miles of golden sandy beach
- easy access to beach from promenade
- go crabbing off the harbour
- dog friendly sections year round
- cafes and restaurants offering everything from fish and chips to fine dining and award-winning street food
- ice-cream parlours and lively pubs
- amusement arcades
- shops selling everything from buckets and spades to fancy furnishings
- book a date with Barmouth Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Top Tip – watch sunset over a pint in the Min y Môr pub beer garden
Book Your Holiday
Aberdyfi and Tywyn beaches
Take the spectacular coast road or the equally scenic Cambrian Coast train line to the small town of Tywyn or pretty village of Aberdyf.
- Tywyn beach is family friendly. Great fish and chips at Môr Tywyn or book a table at the excellent Salt Marsh Kitchen
- Tywyn’s Magic Lantern cinema is a wonderful independent cinema with added cocktail bar in summer!
- Aberdyfi is located where the Dyfi river meets Cardigan Bay. Popular with sailors and windsurfers. Colourful houses and a few boutique shops
- look for the tide bell on Aberdyfi Harbour – take some bait for crabbing off the quay
- easy access to either beach from car parks
Top Tip – From Tywyn follow the Wales Coast Path on foot for 4 miles along the beach and sand dunes to Aberdyfi. Head to one of the pubs or Coast Deli for food then you can’t miss the candy pink Sweet Shop for home-made ice-cream or an affogato, Hop on a bus or train back to Tywyn for a great day out.
Harlech – the big day out
Harlech is around 40 minutes drive or a few stops on the scenic Cambrian train line. Harlech beach is 4 miles of pristine golden sands overlooked by a clifftop medieval castle. Harlech Castle is a UNESCO world heritage site and a must-see. Climb up the battlements if you dare for incredible sea views.
- wonderful sandy beach summer or winter for long walks
- beach access is several hundred metres from beach car park along a board walk. A bit further from the train station.
- Dog friendly sections year round
- take a picnic – no refreshments at beach but good cafes up the steep hill in the village near castle
- fabulous views of Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon from Harlech Castle cafe. They serve a fantastic Welsh rarebit!
Top Tip – Don’t miss home-made ice cream from Hufenfa’r Castell. Their Sea Buckthorn is probably the most exotic flavour grown in Britain.
Did you know?
The world’s largest turtle washed up on Harlech Beach. The leatherback turtle had sadly died after getting caught on fishing lines. It was approximately 100 years old. It was the largest and heaviest turtle ever recorded, measuring almost 3m (9ft) in length and weighing 914 kilos (2,016 pounds). You can see the turtle on display at Cardiff Museum and a life-size sculpture of it at Anglesey Sea Zoo.
Safety on your Beach holiday in Wales
There’s loads of important advice about staying safe at the beach and in the water from Adventure Smart.
Our beautiful beaches are clean – please help keep them this way by taking your rubbish back to your holiday accommodation to recycle.